This unconventional makeup placement, dubbed the “Boyfriend Blush” on social media, is a summer trend and is said to give you a youthful, natural flush on your cheeks. We’ve asked the pros how to achieve this youthful look.
Our best cream blushes, like contouring and bronzers, can have a great impact on our beauty routine. The placement of your liquid or powder blush can have a dramatic effect on the appearance and structure of your skin, while also giving your cheeks a flattering glow. If you follow the contour of your cheekbones for example, it can give a lifted appearance, while blending two dots across your cheeks will give a sunkissed look (without any actual sun damage). In 2024, however, another placement is making its rounds. It’s reminiscent of the ’90s, and mimics a natural, “exerted” tint.
The ‘Boyfriend Blush,’ as it is known on social media, gives a flush similar to that which appears after a run, or a walk, in freezing temperatures, or an embarrassing encounter. It’s also surprisingly flattering. We asked makeup experts to show us how to adapt this look for mature skin as well as everyday wear.
The look is becoming a huge internet sensation and is expected to be the most popular way of wearing blush this summer.
The trend first came to our attention when makeup artist Mallory Osses announced its return. Mallory Osses, a makeup artist, explained that the look has been popular for decades on the runway and in the media. She then showed pictures of Prince William and Harry at their early 20s to illustrate the look.
Simone Otis is a makeup artist at 19/99 Beauty who has worked with Sandra Oh and Tilda. She explains: “What I call “boyfriend blush” would be a ruddy or sporty complexion. The boyfriend blush trend is to place your blush, preferably reddish in tone, lower on the cheeks. This mimics the look that you get after you’ve been out in cold temperatures or exerted yourself.
Otis explains that this ‘ruddy skin’ is a natural phenomenon and has been around since decades. It’s loved for its youthful effect. “It’s caused by dilated capillaries and/or dilated or broken blood vessels.” This look has been seen in many beauty trends, such as the Micheal Kors runways in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. It can look very youthful and beautiful, and give your face a subtle shape.”
Otis says that placement is more important than precision when creating boyfriend blush. “Find the apple on the cheek and place the blush there. Blend down into the hollow beneath the apple, and continue towards the jawbone.”
Otis says that for textured or mature skin, she recommends a cream formula over powder blush. She also says to blend the product using your fingertips to give it a natural look. Otis says that you can still use powder for this look, but she recommends a cream formula (and recommends the multipurpose 19/99 Beauty precision Colour pencils ‘Voros or ‘Rozsa) because they are easier blend. A cream formula can melt onto the skin and give a more diffused, lived-in look.
Otis suggests that if you want to make a big impact, you should “layer a powder blush on top in the same color family as the cream you are using.”
A makeup artist’s guide for ‘Boyfriend blush’ placement
Start with the apples of your cheeks: “Use a blush brush, or even better, your fingertips to place the blush on the apple of your cheek.”
Otis says that you should blend downwards, working the blush into the apple while “also working the blush toward the jawbone.” Keep the intensity of color just below the apple. Don’t go above that.
Otis suggests blending around the edges to create a seamless appearance.
To add impact, use a powder blush of the same shade and layer it over the cream blush. Keep the majority of color on the apple of your cheek and just below. Otis says to avoid formulas that have shimmer “for the natural look.”
The placement is what makes the difference between a typical blush and this sporty-looking blush. While it’s popular to place our cheek products higher, following the line on our cheekbones, a lower placement can be equally flattering.
Otis says, “Everyone looks great with a flush. It can be subtle or full on. It is a fresh and pretty look for the face.” It gives the face a subtle shape, but not as strong as contouring.
